Delivering on our harm minimisation commitments

The ACT Government will continue to deliver on its gambling harm reform agenda this week with a number of bills to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay will introduce bills to support the diversification of clubs away from gaming machine revenue.

“The ACT Government has committed to a significant reform agenda to reduce the harmful impacts of gambling for some members of our community,” Minister Ramsay said.

“The two bills being introduced this week are important steps in implementing that commitment.

“The government will address the concerns which have been highlighted in recent months about the availability of cash withdrawals in gaming venues.

“We will also implement our election commitment to support smaller to medium size clubs and club groups to reduce their reliance on gaming machine revenue.

“This will happen through a 50 per cent tax rebate, which clubs can use to assist them to diversify their business models.

“This legislation will also include another important provision which supports harm minimisation by requiring greater public access to Social Impact Assessments which are required whenever a gaming venue seeks new or additional gaming machine authorisations.”

“These latest measures to implement the Government’s gambling harm minimisation commitments, follow the increase in the Problem Gambling Assistance Fund levy, which took effect from 1 July this year,” Minister Ramsay said.

“This increases, by $300,000 a year, the amount available to support gambling harm reduction initiatives, such as the free counselling and support service for people experiencing problem gambling, their families and friends.”

Work will also be undertaken to examine further gambling harm reduction reforms, including mandatory pre-commitment systems and bet limits for electronic gaming machines.

The Government consulted with clubs in developing the reforms it will introduce this week, and will continue to do so in implementing new harm minimisation reforms.

“At the beginning of this term of government I made clear that gambling harm minimisation was one of my key priorities,” Minister Ramsay said.

“The changes we have made and continue to advance are a demonstration that we are serious about reducing gambling harms in our community.”